In the News

SPRINGFIELD — The American Rescue Plan includes nearly $90 million for colleges, universities and community colleges in Massachusetts’ First Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal announced Tuesday.

The funding included in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan COVID relief package is meant to help institutions cope with the severe financial fallout from the pandemic and continue serving their students safely.

At least half of the funding each college or university receives will be distributed in the form of emergency cash assistance grants to students who are facing hunger, homelessness, and other hardship.

Students should contact their institutions for more information about how they can apply for an emergency grant, according to Neal’s office

“The success of our local colleges and universities is critical to the success of our students and to the strength of our community,” said Neal. “Educational institutions here in western and central Massachusetts and across the country have been steadfast in their mission of delivering quality education in the face of this pandemic. The American Rescue Plan makes a historic investment that will secure the future of these valued institutions and provide struggling students with urgent relief that will allow them to stay on track and complete their education.”

Neal is chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which was responsible for $941 billion, or about half, the total package of the Rescue Plan approved in March.

The colleges and universities in Massachusetts’ First District receiving $89.9 million in funding under the American Rescue Plan are:

• American International College: $5,686,696
• Bay Path University: $4,881,677
• Berkshire Community College: $3,969,913
• College of Our Lady of the Elms: $3,608,828
• Holyoke Community College: $13,291,667
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: $3,942,592
• Mount Holyoke College: $4,217,824
• Nichols College: $3,308,361
• Springfield College: $8,898,028
• Springfield Technical Community College: $14,223,805
• Western New England University: $6,961,297
• Westfield State University: $12,788,564
• Williams College: $4,200,741

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is not in Neal’s district. But the UMass flagship received $50.2 million, according to a federal database available here.

Likewise, Smith College in Northampton received $5.5 million; Amherst College, $4 million; Hampshire College in Amherst, $3.1 million; and Greenfield Community College, $3.5 million.